Students from Ilminster and Crewkerne picking up their A-level results today were joined by a well-known mature student.

Former mayor of Ilminster and chairman of governors at Wadham School in Crewkerne, Stuart Shepherd, picked up his AS Level result for Government and Politics at the age of 76.

He said: “I did A Level Maths and Physics about 50 years ago and I was convinced at the time I did the wrong courses instead of doing arts courses. But I always said that when I had the time, I thought I would do it."

Mr Shepherd studied with Wadham students and previously and gained a C grade in A Level History last year.

While he did not disclose his result, Mr Shepherd said he was looking forward to continuing his studies in politics.

He said the course kept his brain active and he was thoroughly enjoying his return to education despite calling it “hard work”.

He said: “It is not so much the studying part but more the note taking and essay writing! My handwriting is not quite as it used to be!”

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Shepherd has been one of the governors at Wadham School for over 20 years and chairman for 10 years and is a long serving Ilminster town councillor.

Passing on advice to other mature students, he said: “It doesn’t matter what you study but it gives you an interest, is something you can do in your own time, keeps your brain active and makes you keep up with the news.”